26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Between us and you, a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing…
Reading the story in the gospel today makes it clear that the great chasm existed even before the rich man’s death. The chasm was wealth versus poverty. A sense of privilege and class that made it impossible for him to even see Lazarus outside the door.
The mentality of “us and them” becomes a force that divides us, making it difficult even to see others, let alone respond to their needs. Social status, political ideology, religious belief and practice, or even our ability to communicate with one another, divide us into us or them. And so, there is a chasm between us. But it is not permanent—at least not yet.
What if we looked at these false boundaries differently? What if we were to look at the wars waging right now and say many of us are being killed, or to say one of us was shot on the street last night, or some of us are starving? Would that cause us to follow Paul’s call to pursue love, patience, and gentleness?
Every Eucharist we celebrate should help bridge the chasms that separate us. The symbolism of the fracturing rite before communion reminds us that we are united together in Christ, not only in this Mass but also with those present at Mass in every time and place.
The Parable of the Spoons should give us pause. Two groups sit around tables with long spoons and food in the center. The spoons are too long for the individuals to feed themselves. At the table in hell, they starve in anger and frustration. The people in heaven use the spoons to feed each other. They are filled with gratitude for the food and for one another.
Which side of the chasm am I on, and at what table?
Prayer:
Gracious God giver of all we need to fulfill your dream of a world of peace, justice, and equality. We humbly ask that you open our eyes to the incredible wealth you have given each of us. To open our minds and hearts to Your words spoken to guide us to unity and wholeness. And to open our hands that we may reach out to all and that by embracing them be embraced by Your love. Amen.
